Arthur de Laborde / Photo credits: PATRICK BATARD / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 08:13, April 4, 2024

Searches took place on Wednesday at Le Havre town hall as part of an investigation by the national financial prosecutor's office opened in December 2023. This investigation targets in particular the former Prime Minister and mayor of the city, Édouard Philippe. 

Searches were carried out on Wednesday at Le Havre town hall and at the headquarters of the urban community as part of a preliminary investigation by the national financial prosecutor's office opened in December 2023 for suspicion of illegal taking of interests, favoritism, misappropriation of public funds and moral harassment, targeting in particular the mayor of Le Havre, Édouard Philippe and one of his deputies.

Searches which follow a complaint filed by a former deputy general director of the urban community who denounces an circumvention of public procurement rules. This affair is akin to a pebble in the shoe of the former Prime Minister who does not hide his presidential ambitions.

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A settling of scores at the origin of the affair?

In Édouard Philippe's entourage, we do not show concern and we try to minimize the suspicions weighing on the former Prime Minister. Some of those close to him suggest that a political or personal settling of scores could be at the origin of this affair. The mayor of Le Havre himself displays his serenity. He was neither heard in this case nor indicted. 

This preliminary investigation, which is only in its early stages, therefore does not constitute at this stage an obstacle on the road leading to the 2027 presidential election. Édouard Philippe has been preparing to be a candidate for several months by crisscrossing the territories, by meeting local elected officials and relying on a strategy of media discretion.

Seeing his name associated in the news with suspicions from the judiciary is obviously not good news for him in terms of image, especially at a time when he has to lead a political fight to exist against Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, a rival. increasingly serious in his camp in the race for the Élysée.